Gandaki River

The Gandaki River, also known as the Narayani and Gandak, is one of the major rivers in Nepal and flows into India where it joins the Ganges. It drains a large area of 46,300 km², most of which lies in Nepal. In the Himalayas, the river carves a very deep canyon, making it one of the most impressive landscapes in the world.

The Gandaki River basin is home to some of the tallest mountains on Earth, including Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, and the Annapurna Massif. Dhaulagiri is the highest point in this area. In its upper part, the river is called Kali Gandaki as it passes through the Mustang District and the famous Kali Gandaki Gorge.

When the river reaches the flat lands of Nepal’s Terai region, it is known as the Narayani River. This name begins near where it meets the Trishuli River at Devghat in Chitwan. After crossing into India, the river is called the Gandak River.

River course

Nepal

The Kali Gandaki River starts near the border with Tibet at a height of 6,268 metres, in the Mustang area of Nepal. It flows through a very deep valley between two tall mountains, Dhaulagiri and Annapurna. This valley is one of the deepest in the world.

As it moves south, the river meets several smaller rivers. It finally flows into a wide flat area and changes its name to Gandak when it enters India.

India

The river enters India near the border with Nepal and flows across the flat lands of Bihar. It travels through many areas before joining the larger Ganges River.

Glaciers, glacial lakes and glacial lake outburst floods

Glacial lakes are very dangerous in high mountains. They form behind walls made from old glacier debris. In Nepal, big bursts from these lakes have happened for many years. One famous burst happened at Dig Tsho in 1985, which led to more studies.

Some lakes, like Thulagi, are watched closely because they might burst too. Scientists have found many such lakes that could be risky.

Important towns

The important towns along the Gandaki River in India include Valmikinagar (Bhainsalotan), where the Gandak Barrage is located, Bagaha, Bettiah (the district headquarters and field directorate of the Valmiki Tiger Project), Harinagar (Ramnagar), Hajipur (across the Ganges River, about 10 km from Patna), and Sonepur (also known as Harihar Kshetra), near Patna.

National Parks

Chitwan National Park in Nepal and Valmiki National Park in India are close to each other near a place called Valmikinagar around the Gandak Barrage.

Chitwan National Park covers an area of 932 square kilometres (360 mi²). It was established in 1973 and was named a World Heritage Site in 1984. The park is home to many animals, including Bengal Tigers and one of the last groups of single-horned Indian rhinoceros. Visitors can enjoy activities like canoeing, riding elephants, and guided walks through the jungle.

Valmiki National Park covers about 800 square kilometres (310 mi²) and is known for its tigers. It has many different types of plants and animals, including tigers, leopards, wild dogs, and many bird species. The park has many trees, shrubs, and grasses that provide a home for wildlife.

Religious significance

The Gandaki River flows between the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna mountains through a village called Muktinath. Near this village is a place called Pulaha. Long ago, the mountains around Pulaha were known for their many sal trees, and stones found there are called Saligrama. These stones are very important to many Hindus, especially Brahmins. Some Hindu groups see these stones as a symbol of the god Narayana, and they consider the Mukthinath temple to be a very special holy place.

Places of archaeological significance

Important places around Valmikinagar include Lauriya-Nandangarh and Someshwar Fort. In Lauria block, there is a very old lion pillar made of sandstone that is over 2,300 years old. It stands 35 feet tall and shows the great skill of ancient builders.

At Nandan Garh, there are tall brick structures called Baudh, thought to be connected to Lord Buddha.

Someshwar Fort is located near the Nepal border on a hill. Though it is mostly ruined, its outlines are still clear.

The Bhitiharawa Ashram near Gaunaha is where Mahatma Gandhi began an important movement for India's freedom.

Mustang Caves

Main article: Mustang Caves

The Mustang Caves are a group of about 10,000 caves carved into valley walls in the Mustang District of Nepal. Explorers have found very old human remains and important religious items inside these caves.

Development scenario

Hydropower development

Nepal

In Nepal, the Gandaki River has a big chance to create a lot of electricity. So far, Nepal has made only a small amount of this electricity, but the Gandaki River can help make more. Some projects have already been built, and more are being planned. The government is working with private companies to build even more.

Irrigation

The Gandaki River is also used to help farms grow crops. There is a big project that uses water from the river to water farms in Nepal and nearby areas. This helps farmers grow more food.

Flood management

Managing floods means finding ways to reduce their damage without trying to stop every flood. In areas near the Gandaki River, people work on different ways to protect farms and homes from flood damage.

Navigation on the river

Nepal has studied whether it is possible to use the Gandaki River for travel by boats. These studies show that this is only possible in the lower parts of the river. There are plans to connect it with a major highway in India that runs from Allahabad to Haldia. However, special attention must be given to the fact that more use of the river for farming in dry seasons might lower the water level too much, making travel difficult.

In traditional and popular culture

The Gandaki River appears in the old storybook called the Mahabharata. Some stories about its history are told in another book named the Shiva Purana. Part of a nature show called "The Living Planet" was filmed in the Kali Gandaki Gorge.